Weddings...

I had the wonderful opportunity stand up in my brother's wedding on Nov 14th. It was a great time. A nice, short ceremony followed by a limo bus ride to the reception and about 7 hours of drinking and happiness. It was an amazing time. However, as I stood there listening to the commitment my brother and his now 'wife' were able to make to each other in front of their peers, I felt a little, well...left out. I watched as the friends and family of this couple vowed to make sure they would support their relationship. That they would think of the couple and remember them in their prayers when times were tough. I heard the friends and family vow to be there to celebrate the milestones and accomplishments of the couple. Again, I couldn't help wishing I had the same rights.

I have been in a committed relationship longer than my (younger brother). Donnie and I have been together for 8 years now. We have gone through hard times, good times, long distance separations and have helped each other become better people. Why can't we have LEGAL acknowledgment of our relationship too?

I don't know, it seems to me that we should be encouraging love. It seems to me that we, as a nation, should be encouraging monogamy and commitment. It seems to me that if you want to protect marriage, then you should LET PEOPLE MARRY. Especially people that don't have a 60% divorce rate...

Everything about Proposition 8 in California is coming straight here...Straight to the Midwest. We have let a group of people, a CULT essentially- people who believe that Jesus had a lay over in America on his way to Heaven so he could plant some tablets for Joseph Smith to find. You know, which is more ridiculous....believing in that FUCKED UP STUPID STORY, or BELIEVING IN EQUAL RIGHTS?

And, more over, how can someone who believes in Jesus deny human rights for all. My people do NOT ask for RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE. MY PEOPLE ASK FOR SECULAR MARRIAGE, THE SAME SECULAR MARRIAGE THAT UNITES SO MANY HETERO COUPLES! Why should my people be denied this right? What makes Mormons- and other non-taxed institutions- think they can have a voice in the Government when they don't financially participate?!?!?!?!?!?

There was a huge debate over this issue in the Bush Administration- remember when preachers were evaluated by the IRS following Preaching about government in churches? Well, IRS MAN...you best be taxing the fucking MORONS, I mean, Mormons for their VOICE in the PASSAGE OF PROP 8.

No Justice, No Peace...

Congrats and A Word on Change!

I'd just like to say Congratulations to all of the people of America. We've made a decision that will allow for some goodness to be done in the US. It has been SOOO long since I've felt Proud of this country. Really. I feel like we have the ability to effect some real change here. I feel hopeful.

I'd also like to say Congrats to the Real winner of this election...Levi Johnston. You don't think he's going to marry Bristol (Palin's Daughter) now that the election is over, do you?

Consider.

Okay, a word on Change. I'm very glad everyone thinks Obama is going to bring change to this country. I am glad people think that by electing Obama we've removed Racism from the US...But I would like to warn you about thinking Racism is gone. While racism may have vanished from the Political Arena, it STILL exists in the Public Arena...in increasing amounts. However, I think this too can change.

I'd also like to say that because of the work we did to get Obama elected (I canvassed, and worked the Polls) we've given ourselves the opportunity to create great change! The motto "Yes We Can, Si Se Puede" applies to the work that is yet to come, not to the election. So, change what we need to change using Obama as a conduit. A listening ear to our problems. A source of enacting the change we want to see.

Yes We Can, because we'll have a president that listens!

Good Luck President Obama, Good Luck Americans! We are going to make our country better!

Now, let's convince President Obama to help us create a Peace Loving Nation!!

Electronic Voting Issue...

I worked the polls this morning in Webster Grove and there was some issues with the electronic machines- it seems a woman noticed her vote for Governor changed, she caught it before she submitted it, and came out and reported it to me (who was encouraging people to choose a paper ballot). I started informing people that this occurred while they shut down the machine (it helped my paper ballot argument). Turns out the people inside were encouraging people to select electronic ballots even with the issue!!!

We poll workers later saw a man go in with machine parts to repair the down machine- at 2pm...how many people's votes were screwed with?

I just hope this woman's case was the first and only case of electronic voting problems...though I doubt it since she arrived at 11am...and many people had used that machine before her- they probably just didn't catch it. I'm not saying the machine was tampered with to cheat, but it was faulty and needed to be shut down... I mean, the rest of the world uses paper ballots...WHY CAN'T WE USE IT AS A STANDARD?

Ugh!

I encourage you to write in with your issues!

Hammer